DECEMBER 5 • 2019 | 61

Nephew of original owner found 
the recipe for success.

the best of everything
Raskin

Dinner at 
Nonna Maria’s

A

fter frequent unsuc-
cessful attempts by 
others to follow in the 
footsteps of its original owner, a 
name change and closer adher-
ence to its creativity by a family 
member may 
have been the 
correct formula 
for success.
Entering its 
second year, 
Nonna Maria’
s 
Italian Kitchen, 
Walnut Lake 
Road, between Middlebelt and 
Inkster roads, West Bloomfield 

… named after the grand-
mother of its new owner, John 
Gallagher, nephew of the late 
owner of Maria’
s, Al Valente, 
has again been received with 
many happy open arms … John 
is the former boss and head 
chef responsible for the dining 
success of one-time Little Italy 
in Northville. 
Rather than sit on its original 
great reputation, John and his 
staff have added even more 
delicious offerings to its dinner 
menu that include items like 
linguini with clam sauce, short 
rib ravioli, chicken Parmesan, 
etc. … They go along with 
Nonna Maria’
s top sellers 
of Spiedini, veal and lobster 
piccata, seafood pasta, etc. … 
American dishes, Scottish salm-
on and chicken favorites, etc., 
are also included among the 
favorites.
There is so much pride that 
is almost always attached to a 
family restaurant … Although 
Nonna Maria’
s certainly has it 
now … Whatever may have 
been neglected after Al sold 
to move on has not been seen 
again … and the menu selec-
tions befit a top-class Italian 

eatery.
Nonna Maria’
s hours have 
remained the same … Closed 
Monday … Open Tuesday 
through Thursday, 4-10 p.m., 
Friday and Saturday, 5-11 p.m., 
Sunday, 4-9 p.m.
The modern styling accom-
panying its rustic Old World 
charm in the limited 55 or so 
seating gives patrons the feel-
ing that casual goodness in the 
enjoyment of gracious dining 
has returned.
Nonna Maria’
s second anni-
versary in return of a casual 
dining legend is heartily wel-
comed with wonderful memo-
ries of elegant casual neighbor-
hood dining.
A PENNSYLVANIA LAW 
once said that all restaurants 
must be equipped with stretch-
ers and wheelchairs … Many 
people didn’
t think the food was 
that bad.
READER MINI REVIEW 
… From Dennis Silber, Boca 
Raton, Fla. … “My wife, Debbie, 
and I recently discovered 
Mario’
s Osteria on Glades Road, 
Boca Raton, and were pleasantly 
surprised. We were impressed, 
too, with the generous size and 

upscale ambience amid a most 
courteous staff. Its large and 
extensive menu was choice. We 
began with a variety of appetiz-
ers, beginning with its signature 
dish of eggplant pancake. Our 
snapper Francese with spin-
ach and penne ala vodka were 
very tasty, as were the chicken 
Scarpiello and our Bistecche 
Arrabiata. We finished with 
homemade cannoli. And we’
ll 
certainly return.
”
OLDIE BUT GOODIE … 
A small-time vaudeville comic 
was in a plane crash and awoke 
to find himself in a strange 
place.
“Where am I?” he asked a fel-
low standing beside him. 
“You’
re in hell,
” he was 
informed. 
“That’
s my agent for you,
” 
sighed the comic. “He’
s never 
booked me in a good spot yet!”
CONGRATS … To Molly 
Abraham on her birthday … 
To Rita Gehringer on her birth-
day … To Betty Ruskin on her 
102nd birthday. 

Danny’
s email address is 
dannyraskin2132@gmail.com.

Danny Raskin
Senior Columnist

John Gallagher

FOOD PHOTOS VIA NONNA MARIA’
S ITALIAN KITCHEN FACEBOOK

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